Devon

Stay-at-home mothers are being unfairly penalised, says the Bishop of Exeter

In the latest of a series of articles in The Telegraph newspaper looking into the Coalition Government's taxation policies affecting families, the Rt Rev Michael Langrish has said that "Mothers who choose to stay at home to care for their children are being unfairly penalised by a Government that has failed to reward their role at the heart of society."

The Bishop has also said that his views represent those of a number of bishops who are concerned by the Government’s apparent lack of support for family life.

Picking up on a speech made by the Bishop of Exeter in the House...

Flood funding will help local communities

Devon is to benefit from a share of £5 million of funding unveiled by the Government this week.

A partnership of Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council, Torbay Council and the Environment Agency will receive just over £488,000 from the Flood Resilience Community Pathfinder scheme, launched by Defra in December 2012.

The funding, announced by Environment Minister Richard Benyon, will go towards a near £730,000 package to improve local community resilience so that individuals and businesses are better prepared against the risk of flooding. A total of 24 communities will...

Richard Skinner to give poetry reading at St Stephen's Church

Exeter poet Richard Skinner will read his new Easter poem, "Utterly Staggering", on Thursday 28 March (Maundy Thursday) and Saturday 30 March (Holy Saturday) in St Stephen's Church, Exeter High Street at 12.00noon. The reading will last approximately 30 minutes, and there is free admission.

As a poet and performer Richard has published seven books, the most recent being Invocations. He also gives regular readings of his work, appearing at the Exeter Festival since 1989, and has twice been on tours sponsored by South West Arts.

A former member of Cambridge University '...

Storytelling for all ages wiith Wilf Merrtens

Event Date: 
30/03/2013 - 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: 
Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracey, Devon TQ13 9AF

Saturday 30 March, 11am-12noon. £3 - under 2yrs free.

Professional storyteller Wilf, will use the theme of 'Transplantation' the exhibition in the Devon Guild gallery. He will take artists objects on display as ideas to entertain young and old alike with magic, myths and mystery.

All ages welcome. Accompanied children only please. 01626 832223 devonguild@crafts.org.uk

Spring onto two wheels

“Watch out for bikes” is the message from Devon County Council as Spring approaches and the clocks go forward on Sunday (31 March).

Devon County Council is supporting the national THINK! campaign, which encourages drivers to take longer to look for motorcyclists.

The number of bikers on the county’s roads always increases as the weather improves, and motorists are being urged to take extra care, such as checking mirrors regularly.

Despite only making up around 1% of all traffic in Devon, motorcyclists account for around a quarter of all road users killed on the...

Award-winning storyteller at Devon Guild this Easter

Storytelling is magic. Especially when it brings strange and wonderful objects to life. On 30 March you can hear talented performer Wilf Merttens tell tales about the unusual objects on show in the Devon Guild’s current exhibition,‘Transplantation’. Wilf, who ‘tells poems, brings legends, jumps about’ - has won awards for his vibrant performances (Storyteller of the Year 2009, Bristol Storytelling slam prize) which entertain young and old alike. On Easter Saturday he will draw inspiration from the pieces of contemporary narrative jewellery displayed in the Guild gallery until Sunday 21...

Kids get to explore Devon’s wilder side

A leading Devon charity is offering local children the chance to become the next Chris Packham or Kate Humble. This summer Devon Wildlife Trust is running two weeks of wildlife Discovery Days where kids will learn the skills that will help them become top nature sleuths.

Bookings are being taken now for Discovery Days which will take place at two of the Trust’s wonderful Devon venues. At Wembury Marine Centre, children aged 8 to 11 can book for a week of marine-focussed fun. The event takes place 8.30am-4pm between Monday 5 and Friday 9 August. While at Woodah Farm, near...

Operation Easter - Police target anyone stealing birds' eggs

Easter is on the doorstep, birds are nesting, some have already laid eggs, and the national campaign to protect them is now underway. A new element to this year’s operation will target those who take the eggs or chicks of birds of prey, to sell to illegal falconries.

Collecting wild birds’ eggs is illegal and no longer just a schoolboy hobby. The police say it remains the pastime of a minority of individuals, who take whole clutches of birds’ eggs from some of Scotland’s rarest birds. The eggs are then stored in secret collections. Operation Easter will, for the first time, be run...

Exeter City Council seeks views on sex establishment policy

People can have their say on Exeter City Council's Sex Establishment Policy.

The current interim policy limits the number of Sex Entertainment Venues (SEVs) to one in the City Centre and zero elsewhere. It also restricts the number of sex shops to two.

The Council would like to consult Exeter residents and other interested parties on whether this is appropriate to have a policy and if so, what sort of controls and conditions should be included to ensure that the premises are situated in appropriate locations and properly managed.

A consultation questionnaire was...

Devon award winners celebrate decade of success

With just a month to go until nominations for this year’s National Apprenticeship Awards competitions close (on 26 April 2013), current apprentices and employers across Devon are being encouraged to enter as the awards celebrate their 10th year.

The 2012 competition saw Devon employers David Youll and JTP Joinery of Paignton and Puffins of Exeter recognised in the awards.

On a national level the 2012 winners have seen significant benefits from taking part.

City & Guilds Apprenticeship Champion of the Year, Jenny Westworth, from BAE Systems won following a public...

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